NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) - A free aviation course which started many future pilots on their career paths, returns to Harry Clever Field this month. Terry Henry with the Experimental Aircraft Association says the Wright Flight program is for students in sixth through eighth grade and starts with orientation on January 16th at 5pm, at the EEA hangar. Henry says the course has turned out many success stories.

“One young lady took the class when she was twelve. She soloed a four-place airplane when she was sixteen. And we gave her scholarships as well. Central Ohio Pilots Association also gave her a scholarship. She is now an air traffic controller over in Beaver Falls, PA.”

Henry says that after nine 2-hour classes, students will fly an airplane with a certified pilot, provided they make the grade.

“Students have to get an eight-five to get through the course, to get hands-on control. We’ve never flunked a student. If they don’t do it on the first pass on all exams, we’ll give them the chance to do it again.”

Students also get a T-shirt, an 8x10 photo with the plane, and a full-scale wing rib they make during class. The free classes, valued at $250, occur Thursdays at 5 p.m. starting January 23rd. To register, call 330-340-2999.

WJER